CPSC successfully concluded APACC Workshop

The CPSC successfully concluded the two-week long Inter-Governmental Workshop on Regional Accreditation Modeling and Accrediting the Accreditors, held from 15-26 August 2005.

The workshop was the first major convention to tackle the working scheme of APACC, which advanced commitment of member government representatives and workshop participants through a Manila Resolution of Commitment 2005.

Thirty-five officials and coordinators of accreditation and certification agencies from member countries resolved to pledge their commitment to advance the purposes and aims of APACC. They unanimously recommended to their respective governments to fully support regional accreditation and certification of TEVT programs and institutions through APACC; to provide human and physical resources to APACC during its initial organizational stages; and to identify the focal office or agency that will work and liaise with CPSC in the implementation of APACC programs, projects and activities.

They also fortified the standards and instruments of APACC.The workshop followed the International Conference held in Seoul, Rep. of Korea in December 2004. It brought forth the Seoul Declaration 2004 where CPSC member country representatives signified the commitment of member governments represented to form an accreditation body.

Being a gatekeeper for assuring quality in TEVT, CPSC pursues regional accreditation through APACC to identify institutions/programs with effective system of governance and management, very satisfactory teaching and learning system, well-qualified faculty and staff, adequate academic and administrative financial, physical and other learning resources, productive program of research, extension, consultancy and linkages, and a robust program of student services and development.

Ultimately, accreditation serves the interests of the general public by keeping educational institutions strongly adhere to the highest standards of excellence, thereby raising competence and mobility of the workforce.As an outcome, the workshop produced substantial inputs for the finalization of APACC Accreditation Guides and Materials, consist of the Accreditation Manual, APACC Skills Standards, Survey Instruments and Handbook for Accreditors' Accreditation.

TVET institutions have shown improvement along major criteria and this affirms the positive impact of accreditation for quality improvement in TVET institutions’ services. These results have encouraged our stance and belief in the use of accreditation as an effective mechanism for quality improvement in TVET. In the Philippines, recognition of APACC is further strengthened by requiring TVET schools to be accredited by APACC if they want to offer Senior High School. Please refer to the Memorandum issued by the Department of Education – Philippines, for further details.